Aging Well: News & Insights for Seniors and Caregivers
- Reserve a specially equipped or larger rental vehicle six to eight weeks ahead to ensure accessibility and needed space.
- Plan frequent stops for restroom breaks and leg stretches; pack snacks meeting everyone's dietary needs.
- Confirm accommodations meet needs: first-floor bedrooms, few steps, elevators, or consider a nearby AirBNB or accessible hotel.
- Schedule dialysis, IV infusions and other treatments four weeks before arrival; obtain doctor's orders and a written medical regimen.
- Pre-fill medication boxes, pack extra prescriptions, arrange a local senior companion for events, and make a dementia wristband with contact info.
During the 2025 Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, the American Automobile Association (AAA) projects that 80 million people will travel over the Thanksgiving holiday and nearly 120 million will travel over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday.
Here are some tips for family caregivers traveling with the seniors and others who they provide care.
Tips for Traveling with the person you provide care:
- Do you need a specially equipped vehicle? A larger vehicle? Look for a rental and confirm six (6) to eight (8) weeks in advance.
- If traveling over the road, plan to make more frequent stops than you might ordinarily make for restroom breaks and to stretch everyone’s legs. Have snacks packed that meet everyone’s dietary needs.
- Make sure that accommodations meet your requirements. Were you considering staying with family? If so, does the home have too many steps? Are there bedrooms on the first floor? Perhaps you should consider a nearby AirBNB that is more accessible. Or a hotel. Does the hotel have rooms available that are handicapped accessible? Does the hotel have an elevator?
- Do you need to accommodate and make health maintenance appointments, such as dialysis, IV infusion, etc. Schedule and confirm four (4) weeks prior to your destination city. They will probably require a doctor’s orders and a prescribed medical regimen in writing.
- Pre-fill med boxes and take them with you. If traveling for more than a week, pre-fill additional med boxes for the additional weeks. Take extra meds in bottles.
- Are you going to attend a special holiday event? Would it be appropriate to schedule a senior companion to tend to the needs of your senior on that day? Call a private duty agency in your destination city at least four (4) weeks ahead of the special date.
- Do you need to accommodate a special diet? Are you renting accommodations with a kitchen? Are you planning on cooking? If not, are there healthy choices near your accommodations for you to purchase appropriate meals? Do they deliver?
- Are you traveling with someone with dementia? Make a wristband for them with their name and your contact information on it. Also, try to keep their routine as close to their normal routine as possible. Consider breakfast time, lunch time, bedtime, and more.
- Does your senior have a pet? Are you taking their pet with you? If not, schedule a reliable pet sitter.
- If you are planning to visit holiday exhibits or activities in your destination city, check ahead regarding the accessibility of the location. You want to make sure your senior can get around and enjoy the activity.
Remember this: there is no reason that family caregivers cannot travel. And there is no reason for seniors or persons with disabilities not to be included in travel plans. Planning ahead will help to make your travel much more relaxing and stress-free, whether you are traveling with or without the person you provide care to.
Happy Holidays! Safe travels!
Planning Wheelchair Accessible Travel | INSPIRED 55+ Lifestyle Magazine (seniorlivingmag.com)
StaffLink is a provider of personnel staffing solutions for healthcare businesses and home care in St. Louis – both non-medical & medical home care for individuals who need caregiving solutions. StaffLink is a leader in both, the nursing & medical personnel staffing and home care services area. StaffLink has demonstrated “out of the box” solutions in addressing the needs of their medical staffing and home care client’s needs.
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